Spain's government militarises forest surveillance: solution or smokescreen?

Spain's government militarises forest surveillance: solution or smokescreen?

The Spanish government has announced an unprecedented package of measures against wildfires: sending the Army out to watch over the countryside, tripling the fleet of water bombers and helicopters, and even introducing large ruminants to clear undergrowth. The plan, dubbed the "Anti-Wildfire Pact", also includes drones with infrared cameras, night surveillance and an open suggestion box for towns to contribute ideas. It sounds like total mobilisation. But at what cost, and with what real effectiveness?

The most controversial proposal is the military deployment in forest areas over the summer. The aim is to protect natural spaces from what the official statement calls "environmental terrorists". Supporters of the measure point out that most fires are deliberately started — a fact nobody disputes — and that deterrence works. Critics, however, argue that the Army is not trained for forest surveillance duties and that its presence could create tension with local residents. Others go further: "Don't touch a single leaf on the forest floor — all we need is the death penalty for arsonists", sums up a maximalist stance that clashes with those calling for more forest management and fewer publicity stunts.

The plan includes considerable budget allocations: tripling the number of available aircraft and helicopters, improving firebreaks and creating new water supply points. Residents will also be allowed to collect branches and other combustible material, a long-standing demand of rural communities. The introduction of large ruminants to clear away brush is an ecological measure that has already been trialled in other regions. But the question hanging in the air is whether all this is anything more than an electioneering announcement, a smokescreen to cover earlier cuts or poor planning.

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With all this, the debate is served. While some see a government finally taking serious action — "this is how a competent government would manage these crises", they argue — others suspect the military deployment is a stopgap that fails to address the root causes: rural depopulation, poor forest management and, above all, the impunity enjoyed by arsonists. If the Anti-Wildfire Pact remains headlines rather than realities on the ground, we will see the same images of smoke and ash again next summer.